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Saturday, April 18, 2026
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The FinePrint

Communism, anti-Bhumihar mobilisation, philanthropy — the cult of the Ansaris in Ghazipur

MP Afzal Ansari's rivalry with J&K L-G Manoj Sinha, shadow of Mukhtar Ansari's death & realities of region shaped by dire poverty and anti-feudal politics set stage for electoral contest.

India took pride in foreign spending. Under Modi govt, it has become a source of insecurity

Since October 2023, foreign transactions above Rs 7 lakh under Liberalised Remittance Scheme have attracted a 20% tax collected at source. It’s sending a signal to big spenders abroad: we are watching you.

Election fever & extreme heat alert—state govts yet to learn from Kharghar deaths

On 16 April last year, heat complications killed 14 people after a political event in Maharashtra’s Kharghar. But peak-heat rallies with large crowds are still a cause for concern.

‘Ghus ke marenge’ is a warning to our neighbours. Hot pursuit is recognised in law

Political leadership & military must exercise caution when planning such operations and ensure that action is justified, proportionate, and respectful of international norms.

Story of Israel-Iran friendship shows the latest conflict is neither inevitable nor permanent

The story teaches us what happens when ideology and hubris overtake calm, rational decision-making based on national interests.

Everyone says ‘aayega to Modi hi’—some with a drumroll, many with despair

Modi’s presence is no longer enough to brush every other issue under the carpet. His charisma is beginning to wane, making way for other long-suppressed issues.

Chamkila died over 3 decades ago but in his Punjab village bitterness, regret linger

In Chamkila’s village there is an undercurrent of bitterness, regret — Mehsampur has the reputation of being a killing field.

Ambedkar Jayanti is changing. It’s now a dance party & vote-seeking festival

The streets were never ours. They were owned by dandiya/garba players, visarjan revellers, dahi-handi crowd, Holi groups—but on Ambedkar Jayanti every year the streets turned blue.

Dalit housing, Ambedkar Gram to UPSC hubs. Are Mayawati’s legacies surviving in UP today?

Over a decade out of office as Uttar Pradesh CM, Mayawati’s political influence is thinning. Mayawati is silent, but stones still speak.

Villagers use Saraswati riverbed for cow dung, cremation, crop. ‘Where do we keep cattle?’

The Saraswati went extinct thousands of years ago. Now its evidence is on the same path. This despite governments heavily investing in the search of the 'mighty river'.

On Camera

The math behind India’s elections—Why proximity matters

It is one of the most consistent findings in electoral politics: voters are more likely to support candidates who come from their local area.

US ends oil waivers but Russian crude flows to India ‘likely to remain steady’ amid Hormuz disruption

India will need to recalibrate crude sourcing strategy as US ends waivers for Russian & Iranian oil, energy experts say. But Russian crude will likely remain central to energy basket.

Why Siliguri Corridor is strategically important for India & how it is being secured | Cut The Clutter

This special edition of Cut The Clutter, straight from the Siliguri corridor, details the strategic importance of the narrow strip of land in West Bengal, and how it’s a vital link connecting the Northeast to the rest of India.

The world’s in a flux. India must reform, consolidate & build a strong economy

We now live in a world order that will keep shifting. India must use this window. This also means we remain disciplined enough not to be knee-jerked into reacting to what Pakistan sees as its moment in the sun.